Arundel runner takes on half-marathon

It was the fourth time Jason, 40, of Pearson Road, has run in the event, which has raised more than £16m for charities in the past decade.

On this occasion, Jason was sponsored by family, friends and work colleagues from the Bay Tree restaurant in Tarrant Street, Arundel, and raised £500 for Unicef and £300 for Team Squirrel, an organisation which helps to keep the capital’s parks in good order.

About 15,000 people took part and Jason finished with a time of 2hr 13min, his personal best for the event, in spite of having to get up at 4am to be able to catch a train from Angmering in time to make the start on time, and then, during the race, feeling an aching calf after just four miles.

So it was a relief for Jason to spot a London landmark coming into view.

“Eventually, in the distance, I saw the Albert Memorial and the Royal Albert Hall, such a welcome sight, signifying I wasn’t far from the finishing line. As I approached the line I had a sudden burst of energy and sprinted to the finish,” said Jason.

He is planning to take part in the Arundel 10k race on New Year’s Day and hopes to take part in the parks race again next year, to raise funds for the charity Mind, which supports people with mental illness.